Celebrating Surrey Choices’ partnership with Woking Mind

Celebrating Surrey Choices’ partnership with Woking Mind and Surrey

By working in partnership with a local charity, Surrey Choices can make a really big difference to a cause at the heart of the local community. Throughout 2020-2021 Surrey Choices has been committed to supporting Woking Mind and Surrey, a charity that has been helping adults with mental health in Surrey for over 40 years.

The disabled and autistic adults Surrey Choices support, colleagues and friends and family have raised an amazing £3,065. It was achieved by doing everything from the Minutes for Mind exercise challenge to virtual quizzes, but most importantly the partnership has encouraged everyone to talk about how to look after their mental health and that of loved ones during difficult times.

Mette Le Jakobsen, Managing Director, Surrey Choices said:

As a Mindful Employer, our organisation has made a commitment to raising awareness and to creating a positive environment where emotional health and wellbeing can be openly talked about. We had already launched our mental health initiatives and our partnership with Mind Woking and Surrey before the pandemic, and it has been a privilege to continue our work during such a difficult time for everyone.

Natty’s story

Natty, who has a learning disability, spent a lot of lockdown focusing on her health and wellbeing. During the Minutes for Mind exercise challenge Natty went out for long walks, she worked out in her local park and took part in an online ‘Moove and Groove Session’ through the Digital Choices programme. 

Natty really enjoyed working out. Not only was it for a great charity, it has also helped her with weight loss, lowering her blood sugars and helping her control her diabetes. 

Natty said: I like to exercise and love going to the outdoor gym. I take my speakers and listen to music and dance around.

Mandy Dhingra, Woking Mind and Surrey, Marketing and Fundraising Director of Woking Mind said:      

We want to say a huge thank you to Surrey Choices for their support during what has been a very unsettling time. Mental health is an area that has been particularly badly affected by the pandemic and sadly is expected to continue to increase in the months to come. We are very grateful to everyone at Surrey Choices for their fundraising efforts which will help to expand our remote mental health support services that have been a lifeline for many people living across the borough of Surrey.

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